provoked; provoking
1
2
a
: to incite to anger
b
archaic
: to arouse to a feeling or action
provoker
noun
Synonyms
Examples of provoke in a Sentence
His remarks provoked both tears and laughter.
He just says those things because he's trying to provoke you.
The animal will not attack unless it is provoked.
Recent Examples on the Web
The Modi-ification of India has provoked pushback, and even mass protests.
—
Michael Kugelman, TIME, 19 Apr. 2024
The devastation in the Gaza Strip has provoked international outrage, isolating Israel on the global stage.
—Daniel Arkin, NBC News, 17 Apr. 2024
Unless provoked, rattlesnakes usually avoid humans, according to the Forest Service.
—Jacqueline Pinedo, Sacramento Bee, 16 Apr. 2024
In the days between the April 1 strike in Damascus and Iran's response, Israel made a point of warning Iran that any attack launched from Iran itself could provoke a retaliatory attack on Iranian soil.
—Peter Kenyon, NPR, 15 Apr. 2024
The removal of the provision to cap service at three years could provoke anger in the ranks, particularly among infantry soldiers who have been engaged in brutal combat on the front lines for more than two years with little respite.
—Marc Santora, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2024
In 1980, several hundred student protesters were beaten by government paratroopers, provoking a larger revolt that was also violently suppressed.
—Jia Tolentino, The New Yorker, 8 Apr. 2024
Each moment of totality was a notch in a lifetime scorecard, another moment in that otherworldly shadow that provokes strong reactions among so many who see it.
—USA TODAY, 8 Apr. 2024
While the Marion raids provoked widespread condemnation, many other confirmed or alleged Fourth Amendment violations draw little public attention.
—Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 2024
Michael Kugelman, TIME, 19 Apr. 2024
The devastation in the Gaza Strip has provoked international outrage, isolating Israel on the global stage.
—Daniel Arkin, NBC News, 17 Apr. 2024
Unless provoked, rattlesnakes usually avoid humans, according to the Forest Service.
—Jacqueline Pinedo, Sacramento Bee, 16 Apr. 2024
In the days between the April 1 strike in Damascus and Iran's response, Israel made a point of warning Iran that any attack launched from Iran itself could provoke a retaliatory attack on Iranian soil.
—Peter Kenyon, NPR, 15 Apr. 2024
The removal of the provision to cap service at three years could provoke anger in the ranks, particularly among infantry soldiers who have been engaged in brutal combat on the front lines for more than two years with little respite.
—Marc Santora, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2024
In 1980, several hundred student protesters were beaten by government paratroopers, provoking a larger revolt that was also violently suppressed.
—Jia Tolentino, The New Yorker, 8 Apr. 2024
Each moment of totality was a notch in a lifetime scorecard, another moment in that otherworldly shadow that provokes strong reactions among so many who see it.
—USA TODAY, 8 Apr. 2024
While the Marion raids provoked widespread condemnation, many other confirmed or alleged Fourth Amendment violations draw little public attention.
—Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'provoke.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near provoke
Cite this Entry
“Provoke.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/provoke. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
provoke
verb
pro·voke
prə-ˈvōk 
provoked; provoking
1
: to excite to anger
2
: to stir up : bring about
provoke an argument
Medical Definition
provoke
transitive verb
pro·voke
prə-ˈvōk
provoked; provoking
: to induce (a physical reaction)
ipecac provokes vomiting
Legal Definition
provoke
transitive verb
pro·voke
prə-ˈvōk
provoked; provoking
1
: to incite to anger
2
: to provide the needed stimulus for
provoker
noun
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share